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An Introduction to Things Fall Apart. Chinua Achebe (Shin’oowa Ach-eb-bay) Born 1930 in Nigeria, died 2013 in Boston, Mass. Writes about the breakdown.

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Presentation on theme: "An Introduction to Things Fall Apart. Chinua Achebe (Shin’oowa Ach-eb-bay) Born 1930 in Nigeria, died 2013 in Boston, Mass. Writes about the breakdown."— Presentation transcript:

1 An Introduction to Things Fall Apart

2 Chinua Achebe (Shin’oowa Ach-eb-bay) Born 1930 in Nigeria, died 2013 in Boston, Mass. Writes about the breakdown of traditional African Culture in the face of European Colonization in the 1800s. Sought to educate his fellow Nigerians– and the world— about their culture and traditions.

3 Author’s Purpose His first novel, Things Fall Apart, depicts the confrontation between the Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria and the British who came to colonize them. “Achebe tells the story from an African point of view, showing that the Igbo were not "savages” needing to be civilized, as the European conquerors believed, but intelligent human beings with a stable, ordered society and rich tradition.”

4 Achebe was raised as a devout Christian. His father was a teacher in a missionary school. Achebe recalls that his family called themselves “the people of the church” and thought of non- Christians – including Achebe’s uncle, who still practiced traditional religion – as “heathen” or “the people of nothing.” Achebe later rejected this thought, along with his European name “Albert.” Author’s Background

5 Historical Cultural/Context Things Fall Apart takes place in the 1890’s in Nigeria. –Tells the story of how British colonization breaks down tribal life and the indigenous culture of Nigeria. Things Fall Apart was published in 1958. Nigeria gains independence from Britain in 1960. Where else do you think Things Fall Apart gained popularity (outside of Africa?)

6 Achebe’s Style Achebe is a “social novelist.” He believes in the power of literature to create social change. Achebe blends a formal European style of writing (the novel) with African story-telling He influenced other African writers and pioneered a new literary style using -Traditional idioms -Folk tales -Proverbs

7 Background on Nigeria History dates to Nok culture of 400 B.C. The Niger River divides country into three major regions. The country is as large as Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi combined.

8 Nigeria Maps

9 There are over 100 million people in Nigeria today. The Igbo people are the third largest ethnic group. The Igbo people live in the eastern region – where Things Fall Apart is set – near town of Onitsha. The Yoruba live in the west and the Hausa-Fulani, an Islamic people, live in the north. Background on Nigeria

10 Nigeria was a center of the European slave trade for many years – a dangerous and lucrative business. It was colonized by Great Britain during the time of imperialism (18 th and 19 th centuries) and finally granted its independence by Great Britain in 1914. Background on Nigeria

11 Europe Colonizes Africa

12 The Igbo Third most populous ethnic group in Nigeria (16% of population) Live in southeastern part of country in tropical rain forests (deal with rainy season and dry winds) Subsistence farmers – raise their own crops: –Yam, cassava, taro, corn, etc. –Palm trees for oil and fiber –Crafts and manual labor also provide income

13 Igbo Culture It is a patriarchal society. Decision making involves males only Men grow yams and women grow other crops Live in villages based on male lineage – male heads of household all related on father’s side (approximately 5,000 people per clan) Women go to live with husbands; prosperous men have 2 or 3 wives –Each wife lives in her own hut in the family compound

14 Igbo Images Traditional Obi – hut or family compound under construction

15 Igbo Society No single leader, elders lead Social mobility: Titles earned (not inherited). High value placed on individual acheivement. Hospitality very important Some Igbos owned slaves captured in war or as payment for debt. Proximity to West African ports means many Igbo were taken in slave trade

16 Ibo Religion Chukwu – supreme god, creator of world –The will of gods was revealed through oracles. –Each clan, village, and household had protective ancestral spirits Chi – personal guardian spirit – affects one’s destiny, can be influenced through individual actions and rituals. Egwugwu – masked, ancestral spirits of the clan who appear during certain rituals.

17 Igbo Images Villager performing role of egwugwu

18 Igbo Images Traditional dibia, a medicine man or healer.

19 Essential Thematic Questions Adaptation vs. Integrity –Is it better to perish for your beliefs or to allow yourself to be changed in order to survive? Unity vs. Isolation –Do you have an obligation to care for your community, or you only responsible for yourself (every man for himself?) Choice vs. Fate –Can your choices truly dictate where you will end up? Civilization vs. Barbarism –What is civilized? What is barbaric?


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